Find A Renewable Energy Project Near You
Demand for Renewable Energy Funding outstrips Governor Palin’s Capital Budget Request as Alaska Energy Authority announces their second round of grant recommendations.
Drawing of Tidal Power Installation
Demand for Renewable Energy Projects outstrips Governor Palin’s Capital Budget Request
This past week the Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) released their ranking and funding allocations for Round 2 of the Alaska Renewable Energy Fund, a fund created by the passage of HB152 last year. As we all know, the Governor originally included $50 million in her budget for this year to honor the intentions of Legislators when they passed HB152 ($50 million was to be put into the Renewable Energy Fund every year for 5 years). However, due to the current fiscal climate, that amount was reduced to $25 million in the Governor’s amended budget, released in February. Now, AEA has provided the Governor and Legislators with the information needed to make a reasonable allocation of funds based on ready to go projects. Out of 118 projects, AEA has recommended 58 projects for funding, a total of $36.8 million.
If Legislators stick to the Governor’s $25 million in the proposed budget there will be 30 additional renewable energy projects started across the state. However, that last $11 million holds many gems that should not be overlooked due to artificial budget constraints. Projects at risk of not being funded include projects in the Lower Yukon-Kuskokwim, Bristol Bay, Southeast, Railbelt, Bering Straights, Northwest Arctic, and Copper River/Chugach Energy Regions. They include, but are not limited to:
- A biomass project proposed by the City and Borough of Sitka.
- An assessment of the geothermal potential of the Pilgrim Hot Springs in the Bering Straights energy region by UAF’s Alaska Center for Energy and Power.
- The Camp Hill Wind Project proposed by the Native Village of Eyak.
- A solar hot water project by the Northwest Inupiat Housing Authority.
- A biofuels project proposed by the City of Kotzebue.
- Alaska Village Electric Cooperative wind analysis at New Stuyahok, Stebbins, St. Mary’s and Scammon Bay.
- A high penetration wind/diesel project for the City of Pilot Point.
- Several hyrdo projects on the Railbelt and in Southeast.
- Download the list of projects here.
The Senate Finance Committee is reviewing the capital budget and has the power to allocate the $38 million needed to fund all of AEA’s recommended renewable energy projects. Please email or write a letter to the Senate Finance Committee asking them to fund the entire amount for AEA’s recommended projects: $38 million. If you can, point out the project in your community that may not be funded unless they increase the amount in the budget.
Senate Finance Members:
Co-Chairs: Senator Hoffman & Senator Stedman
